Any full time, undergraduate student at NCSU is eligible to ride for the team, regardless of previous riding experience. Levels ranging from Walk-Trot to Open Fences accommodate riders of all skill levels. Students who are a part of the team may compete in up to 5 shows per year, and through accumulating points may qualify to show in the regional, zone, and national competitions through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

According to the official IHSA website:

“The IHSA promotes competition for riders of all skill levels, who compete individually and as teams at regional, zone, and national levels. The association was founded on the principle that any college student should be able to participate in horse shows regardless of his or her financial status or riding level. Emphasis is on learning, sportsmanship, and fun. Competition plays a role but the students’ enthusiasm and team spirit are the major factors. The objective of IHSA competition is to offer the opportunity to riders in their first years of riding as well as to students with show experience. Eliminating the expense of shipping or even owning horses puts IHSA competitions within reach of many who would otherwise miss the equestrian experience.”

Tryouts are held at the beginning of the fall semester. Students are placed into an appropriate division based on their previous experience with riding and showing. All team members take weekly lessons at MacNair's Country Acres with Thom Pollard, about 10 minutes away from campus.

NC State is part of Zone 4, Region 3. Other schools in our region include Coastal Carolina University, Davidson College, Duke University, East Carolina University, Martin Community College, St. Andrew's University, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Different schools host IHSA shows through out the year. The host school provides the horses for the show, which are schooled by non competing riders. Riders will draw a horse at random - they are not permitted any schooling or warm up time on their horse. This is to help keep the competition fair - riders show on horses they are unfamiliar with so that all riders have a fair chance.

Riders accumulate points by placing in classes. A first place ribbon worth 7 points, a second place ribbon is 5 points, a third place ribbon is 4 points, and so on. Once a rider accumulates 35 points (28 points for Open rders), they move up to the next division and qualify to compete at Regionals. The top 3 riders in each division at Regionals qualify for Zone finals, and the top two riders in each division at Zone finals may compete at the National IHSA competition at the end of the year.